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Headaches in multiple sclerosis patients might imply an inflammatorial process
Jan Möhrke1, Peter Kropp, Uwe K Zettl
1Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Plos One
|August 14, 2013
Summary
Headaches are common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients, particularly in earlier disease stages. Unclassified headaches in MS warrant further investigation due to their relevance in disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathology involves inflammatory processes, potentially linked to headaches.
- Tertiary B cell follicles are implicated in MS pathogenesis, suggesting a connection to symptoms like headaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of headaches and their subtypes in an unselected Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patient cohort.
- To identify factors influencing headache occurrence in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- A semi-structured interview and questionnaire were used to assess headaches, depression, and health status in 180 unselected MS patients.
- Clinical MS data, including expanded disability state score (EDSS) and MS course, were collected.
- Headache diagnoses were classified according to International Headache Society (IHS) criteria.
Main Results:
- 55.4% of MS patients reported headaches in the preceding 4 weeks.
- Migraine was diagnosed in 16.3%, tension-type headache (TTH) in 23.5%, and no cluster headaches were reported.
- A significant portion (60.2%) of headaches remained unclassified.
- MS patients with headaches were younger, more frequently female, had earlier MS courses (CIS, RRMS), and lower EDSS scores compared to those without headaches.
Conclusions:
- Headache is a significant symptom in MS, especially during early disease stages.
- Unclassified headaches in MS patients are particularly relevant and require increased attention.
- Headache prevalence and characteristics differ between MS patients with and without headaches, highlighting potential links to disease activity and disability.
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